December 20, 2013

Matthew 1:18-25

"Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, "Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet:  "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus."

 

In Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet," Romeo Montague and Juliet Capulet fall in love, but they are doomed from the start as they are children from two warring families.  Proclaiming her disdain for this family feud, Juliet declares her love for the man named, Montague, not the family and asks: "What's in a name?  That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet."  While I would agree with young Juliet, it is important to know that names and their meanings play a significant role throughout the biblical narrative.  This is especially true in Matthew's account of Jesus' birth.  In addition to convincing Joseph that Mary's conception did not happen in the usual way, the angel also gave Joseph specific instructions as to what he should name his soon-to-be-born son.  "You shall name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Jesus is the Greek form of the Hebrew name, Joshua, which means, "God will save."  Even before he was born, Jesus' purpose and mission was proclaimed.  In addition, Matthew interprets the birth of Jesus as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Isaiah:  "Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel," which means, "God is with us." What powerful names:  God will save and God is with us.  Is it any wonder we call it the good news of the gospel?

 

Prayer:

            We thank you great God for the gift of Jesus Christ, who came to save us and to be with us always. Help us to remember, O Lord, that regardless of our situation, we can rest assured that you are with us.  Amen.